Dr Taghirad Delivered a Presentation at McGill university on Tuesday, Sep 19.
McGill Presentation and Lab visits:
Sept. 19, 2017
11:00-14:30
Prof. Taghirad delivers a presentation at McGill university on Tuesday, Sep 19. The presentation was held at The center of intelligent machine (CIM) at McGill university. Jorge Angles, Meyer Nahon, Arun K.Misra and Inna Sharf are the members of the faculty who join me in the presentation. The presentation was organized by the chair of Mechanical Engineering Department, Prof.Nahon. In this presentation after a brief overview of the past and current research themes of ARAS, the main focus of the notes was put into the Surgical Robotics Theme of ARAS Research group. The Eye Surgery Robots developed in ARAS was first introduced and compared to their counterparts developed in John Hopkins and Eindhoven Universities, and then the haptic system developed for eye training system is introduced, and its mechanical and control aspects are elaborated. The main strength of ARAS, which is its talented and motivated students are presented through some pictures showing the active and friendly environment of ARAS.
After the presentation, Prof. Taghirad was invited to a lunch at McGill Faculty club By Prof. M. Nahon and J. Angeles and discussions on further collaboration between McGill and K.N. Toosi University of Technology is discussed. After the Lunch, Prof. Taghirad was invited to visit Prof. M. Nahon and Angeles Lab at CIM, and further discussions with their graduate students were held.
Prof. Taghirad Visited ETS Lab on Tuesday, Sep 19.
ETS Lab Visit
Sept. 19, 2017
15:00-16:30
On the invitation of Prof. Bonev a visit and discussion to ETS is arranged for the Sept 19, after McGill presentation. First discussions on the current research work of both professors are done, and a visit to CORO Lab was performed. A number of new and modern facilities were installed at this Lab, and compared to the last visit in 2010, the progressive research was discussed in this lab. Furthermore, the small size “pick and place” robots developed for industrial application were visited. Agreement on the exchange of Ph.D. student for further collaboration in a Cotutelle type program is discussed in detail.
Prof. Taghirad Visited McMaster University on Thursday, Sept 21, 2017 .
McMaster University visit:
Sept 21, 2017
14:00-16:00
On the invitation of Prof. Shahin Sirouspour, a visit and discussion to McMaster is arranged for the Sept 21. First discussions on the current research themes of both professors are done, and a visit to Telerobotics, Haptics and Computational Vision Lab was performed. The research area in this lab is categorized into two research themes, namely Haptic and Interactive Control of human-robotic systems, and aerial robotic systems and also control of multi rotor drones. Both of these areas are considered as mutual research areas being able to collaborate on. Discussions on the exchange of Ph.D. student for further collaboration in these areas of expertise are done and agreement to perform such exchange in a Cotutelle type program accomplished.
Prof. Taghirad Visited University of Waterloo on Friday, Sept 22, 2017.
University of Waterloo visit:
Sept 22, 2017
11:00-13:00
On the invitation of Prof. Amir Khajehpour, a visit and discussion to University of Waterloo is arranged for Sept 22. First discussions on the current research themes of both professors are done, and a visit to Mechatronic Vehicle Systems Lab was performed. In this meeting Prof. Taghirad gives a brief overview of the current research themes of ARAS, and then the main focus of the talks were on Autonmous Robotics research. The current project on autonomous vehicle was of mutual interest, and recruitment of graduate students, and post doc positions are agreed upon.
Prof. Taghirad Visited Queen’s University on Monday, Sept 25, 2017.
Queen’s University Presentation and lab visit:
Sept 25, 2017
13:00-16:00
According to the joint collaboration research, and upon the invitation of Prof. Keyvan Hashtrudi-Zaad, a presentation and lab visit is arranged for Sept. 25, 2017 in Queen’s University at Kingston. Our discussion starts by lunch at 13:00, and followed by a presentation organized by IEEE Queen’s university section at 14:30. The number of students and professors attending the presentation was overwhelming, and the question and answer part of the presentation was very fruitful. After the presentation, a visit to Biorobotics Research Laboratory is done and the various equipment on haptic systems is visited in detail. Furthermore, visit to the undergraduate control system lab, and the educational complex in Queen’s university which is fully equipped for discussion and group working of bachelor students is done. Discussion of exchange of a Ph.D. student from visiting this lab was performed and it is agreed that Mohammad starts his visiting from January 2018 for a period of 6 to 9 months.
Prof. Taghirad Visited Carlton University on Tuesday, Sept 26, 2017.
Carlton University Presentation and lab visit:
Sept 26, 2017
16:00-18:00
Upon the invitation of Prof. Mojtaba Ahmadi, a presentation and lab visit is arranged for Sept. 26, 2017 in Carlton University at Ottawa. The presentation organized by IEEE Biomedical and control system sections of university section at 16:00. The number of audience in this was more than expected and more than 40 people have attended the presentation. In this presentation after a brief overview on ARAS history and research themes, the surgical robotics research was presented. After the presentation, a visit to Advanced Biomechatronics & Locomotion Lab and various equipment on biomechatronics, rehabilitation and sensory embedded systems is visited in detail. Discussion on defining Ph.D. Thesis topics on the mutual research area and exchange of students were made at this visit.
Prof. Taghirad Visited Concordia University on Tuesday, Sept 26, 2017.
Concordia University Presentation and lab visit:
Sept 28, 2017
10:00-12:00
Upon invitation of Prof. Wen-Fang Xie, a presentation and lab visit is arranged for Sept. 28, 2017 in Concordia University at Montreal. The presentation organized by IEEE Robotics and control system sections of university section at 10:00. The number of audience in this seminar was more than expected and more than 50 people including five Faculty members have attended the presentation. In this presentation after a brief overview on ARAS history and research themes, the surgical robotics and parallel and cable robotics research was presented. After the presentation, a visit to Prof. Xie Lab is performed in detail, and discussion on the joint collaboration on visual robotics is performed. It is agreed to collaborate on a Masters and Ph.D. theses of Prof. Xie students focused on visual servoing of industrial robots, and defining a joint masters thesis topics on this topic in our university for further collaborations. Discussion on managing a longer visit to this research group is performed to be planned for next summer.
Meeting with the Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Concordia University:
Sept 28, 2017
14:30-15:30
A meeting with Prof. Amir Asif, the dean of faculty of engineering and computer sciences, Concordia University is arranged for Sept 28 at his office. In this meeting a short overview of the research activities in the faculty of electrical engineering of our university is given, and then the potential mutual collaboration between many professors of two faculties is discussed. The idea of joint collaborations is fully recognized by both sides, and the exchange of Ph.D. students on a Cotutelle type program is agreed upon. Co-supervision of students are also possible, and the means to do that is discussed, and finally, invitation of some Senior Professors for adjunct professorship is also agreed upon. It is proposed to have a meeting and presentation for the faculty members especially the many Iranian faculty members of Concordia University and to initiate joint research activities, by inviting interested faculty members in the area of mutual interest. Since my stay was short, this is planned to be arranged in my next visit to Concordia University.
Prof. Taghirad Visited University of Laval on Tuesday, Sept 26, 2017.
University of Laval Presentation and lab visit:
Sept 29, 2017
11:30-14:00
Upon invitation of Prof. Philippe Cardou, a presentation and lab visit is arranged for Sept. 29, 2017 in University of Laval at Quebec City. The presentation was given to him and the interested students in parallel and cable robotics. In this presentation after a brief overview on ARAS history and research themes, the parallel and cable robotics research was presented. After the presentation, a visit to Robotics Lab is performed in detail, and discussion on the joint collaboration on parallel and cable robotics is performed. Discussion of exchange of a Ph.D. student to visiting this lab was performed and it is agreed that Seyed Ahmad Khalilpour starts his visiting from January 2018 for a period of 6 to 9 months. It is agreed to apply for a visiting scholarship for his stay in Laval University. Further discussion on the details of this research collaboration is done in this visit.
